Title: So much for 'According to Plan'

Author: irritatingly optimistic

Chapter: Two - Reluctant Explanations

Disclaimer: If you have heard it before this than it's not mine, if you haven't then it is mine.

..:Xx0o0xX:..

Well know, widely feared; that's what I had once been. Now though things have changed I know for a fact time moves slower here than it does in the human realm or in Soul Society, in fact one year is the equivalence of seven in either world.

At the age of fifteen I was already a captain in the Gotei Thirteen. So why now? Why one hundred thirteen years later am I no better then a child just beginning to learn how to hold a kunai straight? It's ridiculous and I shouldn't have been struck down. Not be such a weak hollow. Yet six, unscathed, amused hollows stand before me while I'm crumpled on the ground with half of my body's bones shattered.

Again the hollow reached out grasping my broken body. Stabs of pain coursed through my veins pounding louder than they had moments ago. Still the hollow laughed as he straightened his arm to make it parallel with ground and yet I couldn't do anything. One arm was useless and the other was trapped, on top of that I don't have any soul candy on me.

Fine mess, Sakura I seethed silently. I couldn't believe I had made such a novice mistake. Furious was an understatement of how I felt at the moment, I don't think beyond furious even covered it. My pain was drowned out in comparison, but it made a come back as the hollow began squeezing my body as if attempting to crush it until all that remained was dripping blood that would no longer be mine and the dust of my remains.

I bit my lip harshly to stiffly my scream, instead a grunt escaped just before I found myself plummeting to the ground with a scream that was not my own. My head shot in the direction in which the scream had originated. The hollow was evaporating by the molecules and in seconds was gone leaving five hollows standing.

Abruptly I was yanked out of the air and just as quickly I connected with ground. I looked up to find who had bothered to stop my plummet only drop me on the ground themselves.

Uchiha, Sasuke.

Of course it would be him. Before I could give a proper reaction he was gone with the world in tow.

..:Xx0o0xX:..

When I awoke I found myself looking at a white ceiling. I looked around me and I found myself looking at pure white walls. A hospital.

Pain suddenly shot through my whole body, resonating from the left side of my body. I then remembered what happened, Hollows, the left half of the bones in my body being broken, being saved…Sasuke-san. Sasuke-san had saved me. Why?

I didn't have so much as a second to ponder that for pain had come from Naruto holding me tightly.

"Let go, Baka." It was his voice again, louder than normal though. Why did he waste his breath or even his time and strength for that matter on me? Didn't he loath me? I didn't have time to ponder that either.

Naruto let go of me, "And why should I?" his voice louder than normal as well. My ears started to hurt along with my dully pounding head.

"Quiet down, Naruto" I whispered though I didn't hear my voice. I heard Kakashi-sama's voice the same noise level it had always been. Kakashi-sama had said my words exactly.

"Why?" Naruto whined his voice still amplified "And why are you talking so quietly" my head pounded more with each word.

"Everything is louder to Sakura-chan"

Naruto's mouth form an 'o' then he turned back to me "Really?" he questioned still far too loud for my aching head and ears liking. Though he looked at my expectantly ignoring the glares both earlier mentioned boys shot him. Still Sasuke-san seemed to care. Perhaps he's only glaring at Naruto because he had wanted the blonde to be quiet. That's the only logical explanation for him to also glare at my hearts brother. My aching head forbad me from doing anything to the lone survivor of the Uchiha clan and I myself hoped to quiet him so I nodded. My head throbbed harder because of the action, but I knew my voice wouldn't be loud enough so I'd just have to deal with it.

"Sorry" he scratched the back of his head apologetically while replying sheepishly. He was only slightly quieter but still loud enough to hurt my currently sensitive nerves.

"Quieter" Kakashi-sama and I said at the same time. Again Kakashi-sama's voice overrode mine by a bit less this time, but I don't care at the moment just so long as the far too loud teenage boy quiets down.

"Sorry" Naruto repeated his earlier reaction but managed to quiet down enough for my head not to pound with his one worded apology.

Then suddenly Naruto looked like he just remembered something and as he opened his mouth I already had the feeling that I wasn't going to like what came next. "What was that about, Sakura-chan? Why were those…monsters there?" His voice was sullen as he either avoided the actual name of his subject or just didn't remember. He also didn't seem to be done with his stream of questions.

Both Sasuke-san and Kakashi-sama became attentive, clearly wanting to know the same thing.

I heaved a sigh. I knew I wasn't going to like it. There went sixteen years of hard work to mask my real identity.

"And what's a 'Shinigami'"

That one hit me the hardest. I didn't know how to respond. What should I say? Should I comply? Should I even bother? I do owe them that much. I also can't very well right it off with a shrug and act like it's nothing of importance. I suppressed another bubbling sigh.

The aching in my head had ceased and I'm sure my voice can reach higher volumes now so I asked, "Truthfully?"

Naruto gave a nod, for once being quiet while awaiting my explanation.

"I don't know why Hollows" Naruto gave a low growl at the name, answering my earlier pondering over remembering or avoiding. I continued, paying the blonde no mind "were there. They shouldn't have been."

"Why not?" Sasuke-san interrupted.

I glanced at him, tilting my head slightly as I did so "They shouldn't be able to reach here, they're closed off and they don't belong here" I answered as best as I could. I continued before the raven haired teen could repeat his question. I'm in no mood for a game of 20 questions. I realized I had answered the first two questions leaving me with the last one.

"A Shinigmi, also called a Death God, is a male or female person who for one reason or another lost there life and had enough reiatsu and will to assume duties that are similar to a shinobi's."

"and you're a Shinigami" Sasuke-san stated

"You died" Naruto gasped in disbelief, managing to take that bit of information out of the entire definition I had provided.

I was at a loss for words once more. That didn't matter though

"How" Sasuke-san demanded, leaving no room for a question mark.

I studied him for a second. Why did he care? What is it to him? I didn't want to give that piece of information out so I resolved it by simply saying, "It's against the law to ask that"

He obviously didn't like that answer, if the growl that resonated from his throat is any indication. Though the only good it did him was make me want to smack the nosy teenager upside the head. Thankfully Naruto had formulated another question "What law?"

Damn it. I don't want to answer that either. I shifted my focus from my raven haired former teammate to my broken bones and began healing them. To bad I don't need to give it the full concentration I once needed to and I can't act like I do when both my fox brother and father figure know I don't need to. On top of that I was hoping at the very least not to divulge any answers concerning Soul Society. "I really have no desire to answer that either." I stated shooting pointed looks at the guys closest - Sasuke isn't included, I don't what he is to me = to my heart. The soon to be Hokage looked like he wanted to sigh at my lack of cooperation while his self proclaimed brother looked irritated "But I'll try to answer that anyway." The blonde looked hopeful once more and the onyx eyed sharingan user appeared less irate.

Taking a deep breath, I told myself this is the least I can do and they deserve to know. I mentally prepared myself for their reactions. "It is one of the many laws Soul Society runs by." Naruto and Sasuke-san looked interested and confused. My heart's brother opened his mouth and I had the inkling it was something to do with Soul Society "Soul Society is my original home that I haven't seen in sixteen years. Soul Society is also where the dead go, but it seems that the dearly departed of this world don't need assistance getting there. I could never understand how or why on that one. Any way there are two sections: where the Shinigami reside, the Seireitei, and where civilians live, Rukongai." I finished and just by glancing at the blue eyed, sometimes red eyed teenager I decided to add on dryly, "Any questions?"

"Oh yeah." Was my immediate response. I prodded my ribcage and when no pain ensued I proceeded to poke at my arm and collar bone. Still feeling nothing, I sat up straight and swung my bear legs over the side of the uncomfortable bed.

I settled myself in for a long talk "Fine but not until I'm sure no one well hear." I retorted, realizing I still wasn't aware of my location other than being in a hospital room.

Kakashi-sama caught onto the source of my unease immediately "We are just inside Fire Country borders, in a small town. No ninja."

I smiled and nodded "arigato"

"Err…why, sakura?" Naruto asked

I turned to him "Well, simply put I can get in a lot of trouble if people learn of Soul Society without my knowing it."

"Oh I get it, like telling the enemy the village's secrets." The blonde exclaimed when the concept clicked. Glaring at him, I realized Sasuke-san was as well. I still don't get why he's acting like he never left, or even did half the things he did. It just doesn't make sense to me. Oh well, perhaps that mystery well unravel itself.

"Pretty much" I agreed, smiling and nodding "So what are your questions?"

I prepared myself for a whole lot of questions. "Why are you here, if this 'Soul Society' is your home?" The chicken ass hair styled young man asked and for a second I thought there was a bit of distaste and spite put into the words Soul Society'. I wonder why, what does he have against it? "Do you intend to go back to it? When? What trouble? What are the rules there? What do you mean 'this world'?" Dang he sure has a lot of questions and it sounds like he has more ready. Plus there is this feeling he isn't going to let go of the whole 'how did you die?' thing either.

I turned to the bubbly jinchuriki "You have anymore?" I didn't want to keep track of more but might as well do it all in one shot.

"Nope, that's already a lot of explaining." nonchalant but alert as always when he's interested in something but doesn't want to make it obvious.

I sighed, might as well go in order. "Well, I'm here on orders." I started "so because I'm here on a mission, it's not my choice whether I stay or go or even when. That's all up to captain-commander"

"Who is that?" Naruto interrupted. So much for already having a lot of explaining.

"Captain-commander Yamamoto. He is like well, like a Kage I suppose. He is a captain but he commands all the other captains."

"Other captains?" again with the interjections. One more and I'm bobbing that idiot over the head!

"He is the one who gives the orders and all the other twelve captains have to report to him." I continued as if the blonde hadn't even spoken "There are thirteen captains in all and they are known as the Gotei Thirteen or the Thirteen Protection Squads. Every Shinigami is categorized into one of the thirteen. Each squad has at least one hundred members, but only ten have recognized positions. Captain, vice captain, third seat, fourth seat and so on till tenth seat. Some of the squads are known for certain things. Like the eleventh squad contains most of the Shinigami known for sheer power. Second division controls the special forces unit and are very much like shinobi." I stated, then I looked pointedly at my blonde ADD close friend while asking, "Any questions on that?"

I was surprised when the stoic close friend spoke up instead, "What is your ranking?"

I thought about that for a moment, I could tell him I don't have one. I shook my head inwardly at that, I'm already being completely honest and open might as well just say the detailed truth "I am the former captain of the sixth squad." my voice was sullen I could hear it, but I couldn't pinpoint the reason. Perhaps because now I have to remember the current captain, or maybe because I no longer hold a place in the Thirteen Protection Squads. It's probably the former.

"Former?" Naruto gasped, with shock coloring his tone.

"Captain?" Sasuke-san added on his voice the same as Naruto's

I mused on whether I should be offended, he did after all question my ability to reach that rank. None the less I discarded the thought and nodded my head.

"Who is the current, and what's the connection" Kakashi-sama asked finally taking part in his former students' interrogation.

I quieted looking down at my lap, my fists clenched themselves till my knuckles turned white.

One hundred-twenty years ago
Seireitei, Kuchiki Manor

"Come on! Play a game with me" I shouted. I was just outside a noble's house, I found myself spending a lot of time there now that I'm a Shinigami. I'm here because of my precious person. Ever since a year ago, with that Hollow incident in Rukongai, I've been in the Seireitet joint at the hip with the boy that has a knack for saving me. Even though he and I are always together we are the exact opposite in nearly everything. Like night, him, and day, me.

"No." came the emotionless reply from the young boy I hold so dearly. "Games are for children" of course got to be the logical one.

I pouted "and what do you think we are? Adults? We aren't even ten yet." And that is the truth. I'm nine while he is eight. I act his age while he acts like a young adult. I tease him on that.

"So?" He questioned. His long silky black hair fell just past his shoulders and I briefly entertained that thought of playing with it.

"Be a child, it's your only chance." I explained sauntering over to the small boy and leaned against him. "Please."

He rose an eyebrow and chuckled, "I don't understand why you try with that. It never works." Liar.

I stuck out my tongue like the child I am and he laughed. "What game?"

I kissed his nose and pulled back with what I'm sure is a mischievous grin, "Tag, you're it." I giggled as he blinked his very beautiful dark violet eyes. Then whipping around on my heel, I dashed.

"OI! THAT'S CHEATING!" He shouted, chasing after me. I laughed loud enough for him to hear and I heard his footsteps quicken.

End flashback

I felt a tears sting my eyes and one raced down my cheek before dripping on my clenched fist.

"Sakura?" Naruto questioned pulling me from my memories.

Lifting the hand that my teardrop had hit, I used my skin to clear my face of the wet substance. With a quick sniffle I attempted to act like nothing was wrong. I hoped my voice wouldn't break and I still didn't look up. "Kuchiki, Byakuya. The head of the Kuchiki clan. Relation is a very close friend, like a brother." my voice cracked, on his name, on close, and on brother. I don't know if that's how he still views me. Have I changed in his eyes? I haven't talked to him in at least a century. He probably hates me, but I miss him so much.

"Then why are you crying?" Sasuke-san asked concern and anger twisted into his baritone voice.

"I miss him, a lot. And I don't know if he even still views me as a friend." I poured out unthinkingly. It's to late too take it back now anyway

"Well if he's like a brother then he's probably feeling the way you are." Naruto stated confidence quite noticeable. I smiled, his words haven't failed me in so long and I'm glad they still don't.

"Thank you, Naruto" taking a deep breath a resumed the black haired teen's starting questions. "Trouble, trouble" I mumbled searching my brain for the answers "well I don't honestly, I've never had to worry about that.

"As for the rules, there are a few main ones to always know. One - by ancient law two Shinigami cannot hold the same zanpakuto, they must fight for the honor of bearing the spirit, with the spirit going to the winner." I ticked off one finger " Two - it is forbidden for a Shinigami to acquire hollow powers." I ticked off another " Three - it is against the law for a Shinigami to use forbidden Kido." and another " Four - it is against the law for a Shinigami to give their spiritual power to humans." another " Five - it is against the law for any citizen of Soul Society to create weapons of a dangerous nature not sanctioned by the feudal government, to do so is treason." hey look a thumb! " Six - it is against the law to attack a captain, to do so is treason." And another thumb "Seven - it is against the law to commit terrorist action or attempt overthrow of the balance of Soul Society, to do so is treason." back to the fingers "And eight - it is against the law to commit murder" finally! All done. I took a deep breath. Shinobi rules of conduct aren't the only things I memorized.

Naruto triple blinked "What?"

I sighed "Honestly Naruto! It's not that hard, they're really simple. Then again, they aren't for you to abide by."

"What are zanpakuto? And Kido?"

Never mind, answering backwards would be better here. "Kido are like jutsus. But they are numbered and some have incantations that have to be spoken before it can happen otherwise the attack won't be as strong. While zanpakuto or soul reapers are katana that a shinigami has. Each blade is different depending on the person, but like I said it is against the law to have two of the same zanpakuto - which has happened before."

"Err…I get the Kido thing, but not the zanpakuto, katana thing." Naruto asked, scratching his brow - his pose for trying to grasp a concept.

"Perhaps it'll be easier if you have visual?" I asked suggestively and the confused blonde instantly nodded approvingly of the idea. "Well I need my katana first."

Kakashi-sama took said weapon from his hip and tossed it to me. The black, cold, aluminum metal that I prefer landed in am palms. I tugged on the bandaged with dark violet bits as well as pink bits seen where the bandages purposely weren't wrapped hilt. The katana doesn't have a guard. It slid out easily enough and the black blade gleamed; visible all the way till the sharp, slightly curved point.

Stepping foreword the only missing nin reached out but didn't touch the blade. "May I?" He requested obviously curious as to the blades traits.

I smiled, I think that was the first time since I meet him that he actually requested something of me. "Sure." I approved, moving my hand so he could grab the hilt. He held my Soul Reaper delicately, examining it and slashing it through the air. Testing it's capabilities. "This is my zanpakuto." I stated proud of it. "not only is it every Shinigami's main tool but it changes form to fit the part of our souls. Zanpakuto are part of our souls and are therefore unique. They each also have there own names mine, for example, is Myaku meaning pulse. Each has a gender as well, but not always the same as the Death God's."

Naruto and Sasuke-san both looked at me like I had grown another head. I simply ignored there incredulous looks and attempted to explain, "They have their own spirits as well, they are their own being. Though it depends on the Shinigami on whether they may surface or not."

"So then yours has to do with pulses." Kakashi-sama depicted.

"What good is that?" Sasuke-san questioned, obviously seeing it as a useless ability. Then looked in thought for a moment, "The blade is well taken care of though. If nothing else, that well be it's best use." He tossed said blade back to me.

I growled not liking his comment, Myaku vibrated showing he, too, was offended. "For one no that is not Myaku's ability and for two, if it were it would still be useful."

He rose in eyebrow at my abrupt anger, "How?" if he wanted a challenge, then I'll give him a challenge.

"Controlling a pulse would allow one to control the heart rate as well as blood circulation. A quick and easy way to save a life."

"Or kill" my challenger threw back. He had wanted to see how I would use such an element to my advantage. He had already thought of a way. Damn him. I glowered at him but before I could bite back a reply my heart's brother interrupted.

"Then what can…Myaku do?" Naruto asked. The blonde clearly thought it strange to call a blade by name.

"Myaku controls vibrations." I stated matter-of-factly while daring the Uchiha to make another comment.

"That's quite useful." Kakashi-sama stated, already guessing all the ways such an ability could be used. Water and air currents, the human body, electricity. Quite useful indeed.

I smiled and nodded. "Well, moving to the last question." I took a deep breathe. "As far as we - we being Soul Society - know of there or three worlds. The Modern World, the Shinobi World, and Soul Society." I went through my mental list of questions to be answered. Besides the 'how did you die?' that I absolutely refuse to answer, that's it "I believe I answered all of the questions."

"Modern World?" the Kyuubi holder question quizzically

"I don't know how to explain it, you'd have to experience it for yourself" I answered quickly wanting to be done already. I folded my legs into a crisscross position and rested my hands on my knees "There now I'm answered all of your question so you-."

"No you didn't." came the blunt reply of my apathetic former teammate as he cut off my sentence. I was have tempted to ignore him.

I cocked an eyebrow instead, hoping he wasn't going to bring up what I think he is, and feigned obtuseness, "Really, now? Which one?"

"How did you die?" he retorted and I slumped inwardly. Won't he give up on that?

"Fine." I growled, earning a triumphant look as well as two curious ones. "If your so bent on finding out, the truth is I drowned. Happy?" It wasn't a lie either.

"Oh." they were obviously waiting to know how it had happened and I so don't want to say.

"There was a flashflood."

One hundred-twenty-eight years ago
River on the outskirts of town

The rain pelted hard against my skin as I dashed down the sidewalk by the river. Rain was common here and so I didn't think much of the flashflood warning this morning just before school. Glancing to the left I saw a small head bobbing in the raging river.

Without a thought I cut straight toward the fast paced river and dove in head first. I'm an excellent swimmer, but I didn't foresee the current being so cold or strong. My body felt numb within seconds, but that's all I needed. I reached out and grasped the child and pushed for the other side.

Thankfully the river hadn't been to strong to make such a feat impossible. It did, however, take a lot of my strength. I gasped wildly for breathe as I struggled to get the little boy to gasp for gulps of air as well. Another thing I excel at is health so CPR wasn't too hard. I plugged his nose and forced breath into him, then I pressed on his chest. I repeated the motion several times before he started into a coughing fit, water spilling out of his mouth.

He opened his eyes, obviously using a lot of energy to do so, and muttered a hushed but gratitude filled thank you before passing out. I smiled, grateful and feeling accomplished that I had saved the young boy's life.

I never saw it coming.

One second I was trying to stand and the next the current had swept me away. I tried to fight, I honestly did. The flashflood warning flashed in my head and my smile was back. I don't have a reason to fight, so why should I? Suddenly my back was slammed into a solid, hard substance with a force only water could mange and pain erupted. My body is freezing and heavy, my eyelids feel like they weigh a ton, and my back hurts so terribly bad. So I just gave up. I allowed my eyes to slide close, the dark to over take me, and the pain to dull out. And for the first time in a long while, I relaxed.

End flashback

"And," Naruto probed bringing me out of my revere.

"It was raining and I remember hearing about a flashflood." I smiled hollowly with a chuckle to match "I didn't think much of it since they were common. I still didn't even think about when I dove head first into the river I always followed on the way home, even though it was raining really hard. I had seen head bobbing in the river and had acted out of pure extinct. Thankfully I was a strong swimmer and had gotten the child to the other side before he drowned. Just as I was about to move away from the river's edge, the flashflood came and swept me away. I remember being slammed into a hard substance before I lost consciousness. When I woke I was high above the ground and a woman in all black told me I was dead."

"Why didn't you fight?" Kakashi-sama mused, clearly thinking of my strong will to fight.

"I couldn't find a reason. Not one." I answered truthfully.

"What?" Naruto shouted, not believing the stark statement.

"That can't be true." Sasuke added shaking his head.

"I didn't have any family, or friends. My life was going down hill and I had thought it would have just been easier to give up" I explained. The blonde, never-say-die teenager opened his mouth to immediately to protest. "I know now that that isn't a good enough reason. Plus I never had anyone to tell me they were glad for my company or any encouragement period. So at the time living didn't seem worth it, and death seemed so much better."

"No family? What happened to them?" I didn't bother to look at the brooding male

"I was abandoned at young and was always bouncing from foster home to foster home." - frowning at the memory I shook my had "enough. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I like where I am and if I could do it over, I wouldn't have changed a thing."

Kakashi-sama smiled warmly, with his eye of course, at me. "Alright, that's enough. Let her rest she'll need it for the trip home."

I nodded gratefully and slumped down comfortably into the bed the hospital had provided. Sleep came easily.

Yay, chapter two. Damn that was a long one. Any how what did you think? Critisim is forever welcome.